Campus Connection

Favorite class in college: 19th century Latin American literature, followed closely by a history of music class. I learned so much! Favorite class to teach: HIS 110: World History, with a focus on family, gender and sexuality. You open up worlds to people!

Favorite spot at UWL or in La Crosse: I do much of my writing and grading at coffee shops around La Crosse. I can focus, get caffeinated, be very productive and eavesdrop on the weirdest conversations at times. I love people watching.

Favorite pastime:  I’m always writing or reading. LOL! I love going to bookstores or trying new food.

Favorite vacation spot:  It’s funny, I don’t vacation to rest. I “vacation” where I can visit archives and libraries to access materials I don’t have available in the U.S. I love working in the national libraries of Mexico or Spain, or at hemerotecas (newspaper and magazine collections), especially the Lerdo de Tejada Library in Mexico City. So many treasures!

Final thoughts: I love teaching students to write and research; it lets me share what I love to do. It is great to see students improve over time. Some come back for a survey (200) class or an upper-level course, and I see the difference. I teach them to peer review, and they benefit a lot from seeing each other’s writing. It’s been 26 years since I started here, and now I see those students becoming college administrators, public officials, judges, lawyers, doctors, professors, artists ... and we keep in touch. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to work with a talented young person and to see them blossom. Thanks for allowing me to accompany you in your journey.